Elsie at the World's Fair eBook

At that there was a general laugh among the other
spectators, and an exchange of glances that seemed
to say he must be either very blind or extremely simple.

Walter did not seem to notice, however, but went on:
“Are the upper floors open to visitors, sir?
and are there refreshments served there, or in any
other part of the building?”

At that the laugh among the people in the room and
about the doorway grew louder,—­it seemed
so good a joke that anyone should take those wax figures
for living people—­and a burly German, taking
pity on Walter’s stupidity, said; “Mine
frient, dose vos vax beobles, ha, ha, ha! dey don’t
can’t say nodings.”

With that the laughter grew louder, and another German,
evidently good-naturedly desirous to relieve Walter’s
embarrassment, spoke, turning as he did so to the
first speaker:

“Dat vasn’t no sign de young shentlemans
vas dumb; he don’t can’t help it; he t’ot
dey vas life beoples.”

The words seemed to come from the lips of the waxen
man, and struck the crowd with astonishment.
“I would tell you vat you vants to know,”
he added, “but I pees von stranger in dose barts
mineself.”

Then the woman seemed to speak: “Come to
de dable, mine frient, and eat somedings mit us.”

“Thank you, very much,” returned Walter,
“you are most kind and hospitable, but I cannot
think of intruding upon your hospitality.”
And with a bow directed toward her and her spouse,
he turned and left the room, the rest of his party
following and leaving the little crowd of Germans
gazing at each other and the waxen figures in wide-eyed,
open-mouthed astonishment.

“Papa,” complained little Ned as they
left the German quarter, “I’m so tired
and sleepy.”

“Hungry, too, papa’s boy, aren’t
you?” was the kindly enquiring rejoinder.
“Well, papa will take you back to our floating
home, and leave you there with your nurse to be fed
and have a good, long nap. I think Elsie would
like to go too. Wouldn’t you, daughter?”

The little girl gave a glad assent, and arranging
with his wife and older daughters where to meet them
on his return, the captain set off with the two little
ones for the Dolphin.

CHAPTER VII.

Captain Raymond was not gone very long, and on his
return found the others sitting quietly listening
to the music of the German band. But they were
ready to go at his invitation and test the excellence
of the fare to be obtained at the Woman’s Building.

“There are cafes at each end of the roof
covered with Oriental awnings,” he said, “and
surely we may expect as good fare at a woman’s
establishment as anywhere else.”

“I think we certainly should,” said Rosie
in a sprightly tone; “and there must be a lovely
view or views from that roof and the loggias.”